Scenario:

A 45 year old African American female was admitted to a detoxification facility with reports that she was consuming three pints of whiskey daily for the past three years.  The patient also reports she last drank alcohol approximately “ten hours ago.” Answer the following questions:  

Based on this scenario, respond to the following prompts:

1. Explain the etiology of Alcohol Addiction. 
2. According to the DSM V-TR, what is the criteria for this condition? What screening tools are available for measuring Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?
3. What treatment options will you offer this patient and why? (Provide pharmacological interventions, including nursing interventions, as well as cultural considerations for African American populations with this condition).
4. If the patient later reports a history of promiscuity and sexually-transmitted infections, impulsivity, aggression, and irritability, how does this impact the patient’s treatment plan? Explain the concept of co-occurring disorder and its relevance to this case study.